On November 27, United Way of Central Maryland and many of its local funded partners will join #Giving Tuesday™—a national effort that will launch the giving season and that is transforming philanthropy into something easy, achievable and trendy.

For years, shoppers have crowded stores on Black Friday, the first day of the holiday shopping season. More recently, Cyber Monday became the nation’s biggest online shopping day. This year, for the first time, charities have put their stake in the ground to create a new tradition that celebrates giving back with #Giving Tuesday™—the Tuesday following Thanksgiving, when organizations, families, businesses and individuals come together to support the causes they care about most.

Locally, United Way of Central Maryland (UWCM) will serve as the giving portal for its own programs, which include the Access to Healthy Food and Family Stability initiatives as well as 2-1-1 Maryland at UWCM, and for its local funded partners—health and human service organizations serving people living at or near the federal poverty level in central Maryland.

“While no one person acting alone can solve tough social issues like homelessness and hunger, United Way consistently demonstrates that, acting together, people can make a real difference in the lives of the less fortunate,” said Mark Furst, president and CEO of UWCM. “Individuals giving to United Way of Central Maryland on #Giving Tuesday™ can rely on the money being directed to help those facing poverty locally get and stay out of crisis and move to self-sufficiency.”

#Giving Tuesday™ is becoming a digital phenomenon, and is an indication of how charitable giving is changing in the world of new media. Giving transactions will occur primarily online, and promotion of the effort has come to life mostly via social media. Giving among young people, many of whom are new to the world of philanthropy, is also expected to be high on #Giving Tuesday™.

“The days following Thanksgiving historically have centered on buying gifts for family or friends—or shopping for yourself,” said Elise Lee, UWCM’s chief development officer. “#Giving Tuesday™ is a national celebration of generosity to kick off the holiday giving season. There is nothing more powerful for our neighbors in need than the impact of the collective.”

For more information on how to become a part of the inaugural #Giving Tuesday™, please visit uwcm.org/giving-tuesday.

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